Tool handle



1934- J. s. D. BELLERIVE 1,943,807

TOOL HANDLE Filed Nov. 21, 193 2 Patented Jan. 16, 1934 PATENT OFFICE TOOL HANDLE Joseph S. D. Bellerive, St.-Agathe-des-Monts, Quebec, Canada Application November 21, 1932 Serial No. 643,549

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to a tool handle, and more particularly to a type of handle adaptable to a variety of tools and so secured thereon as to be proof against removal in normal use.

' Generally, axes, hammers, picks and other similar tools are provided with a wooden handle which is simply secured to the tool by means of a metal wedge. This construction, although time-honored and cheap, has the disadvantage that the wood of the handle dries up, shrinks and loosens in the tool. Furthermore, said handle frequently breaks when least desired, sometimes leaving a worker in an awkward situation.

As an object of the present invention, a handle is contemplated which is free from the above noted defects; it is made of a light metal alloy and comprises means whereby the handle, though slightly loose, cannot become disconnected from the tool.

Therefore, the primary object of the invention resides in the provision of a handle of the character described which combines unusually high durability, strength, and means for preventing the accidental disconnecting of the handle from its associated tool.

A further object resides in the provision of a tool handle which is simple of construction, cheap of manufacture and efiicient in use.

As an example, and for purposes of illustration, a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the appended drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an axe embodying the novel handle,

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the axe proper,

Fig. 3 is an elevation view showing the handle partly in section,

Fig. 4 is a view showing the assembly components of the handle,

Fig. 5 is a View taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4, and

Fig. 6 is a view taken on line 6- -6 of Fig. 3.

In the drawing wherein similar reference characters represent corresponding parts throughout, numeral 10 indicates, in the present instance an axe iron, which, of course, may be also any other similar tool adapted to be secured to a handle.

This iron or head 10 comprises the usual eye or socket 11 through which a handle enters, as usual.

However, the handle 12 of the present invention difiters from the usual handle in that it is made of metal, as already stated, and hollowed as at Fig. 3 to reduce weight. This handle is secured to the axe head by mechanical means to be described presently.

In a general way, the handle is secured by means of a wedge 13 forced within a slit 14 provided in the end of the handle.

The wedge is secured or integral with. a plate 15 of a contour larger in area than that of the head socket 11 at its smaller end. The purpose or this arrangement is to prevent the head from coming oil the handle entirely, should said handle get loose in the socket. The said plate is further provided with a longitudinal channel 16, the purpose of which will be described later.

As shown to advantage in Figs. 2 and 4, the end portion of the handle is provided with threaded depressions 17 in the same plane as the slit 14, and on each side thereof, so as to form a threaded bore in which bolts 18 may be screwed.

These bolts 18 are shown here with a square head, although it is evident that an hexagonal head may be used instead. Furthermore, the bolts are provided with a shoulder 19 (see Fig. 5) of square formation, the sides of which correspond with the width of the channel 16, so as to fit therein. The assembly is completed by lock washers 20 disposed between the handle and the plate 15, (Fig. 4).

The method of connecting the handle to an axe will be evident from a consideration of the figures. The tapered end of the handle is inserted in the socket 11, with a liner 21, preferably of fibre, interposed between the socket and handle to compensate inequalities in the metal surfaces and to mechanically insulate the handle from shocks rendering unpleasant the manipulation of the tool. After said handle is tightly fitted in the axe head, the end of the wedge is inserted 9 in the slit 14, the lock washers 20 disposed over the threaded bores 1'7 and the wedge driven in the slit as far as it will go. The axe head is now securely fastened to the handle in the ordinary manner. However, to prevent said wedge 5 from being dislodged. the bolts 18 are threaded into the bores 17 until they contact with the plate 15; further tightening of these bolts will result in the shoulder 19 engaging the channel 16, wherein they will be secured against further rotation.

Assuming that the device has been properly constructed, the wedge will enter the slit enough to slightly compress the lock washers 20 which are thus retained under tension. Any looseness occurring later, and causing the wedge to slightly recede from the slit, will immediately be taken up by the spring washers constantly urging the plate against the bolt heads and preventing its removal; concurrently the square heads of the 4 res bolts will be held by the channel and prevented from rotating. Thus, it will be seen that the handle is prevented from coming off entirely by means of the plate retained to the handle, the bolts prevented from rotation by the channel in the plate, and the plate constantly urged by the springs against the bolts, should the wedge recede from the slit.

It must be understood that various modifications as to size, shape and arrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the attached claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:-

In a metallic handle for tools and the like, said handle being slitted at the tool receiving end,

the combination therewith of tool securing means comprising a plate having a longitudinal channel therein and a plurality of bolt holes, a wedge integral with said plate on the face opposite to that of the channel, said wedge entering the slit of the handle, square shouldered bolts passed through the holes of the plate and screwed into internally threaded bores formed axially of the slit, whereby to force the wedge into said slit, and resilient means associated with the bolts between the plate and the handle, whereby to prevent rotation of said bolts by constantly urging the plate into channel-engaging position with the shoulders of the bolts.

JOSEPH S. D. BELLERIVE. 

